Originally from Broken Hill, Vicki has had a great deal of experience with the illness.

She is a recovered cancer patient and landed the role when she was nominated by someone in the group.

Red Sands has been running since 2006 but outgoing president, Helen Edwards, will be leaving for Adelaide on Friday so a replacement was sought.

“At the time I wasn’t really sure if I was the right person – and that’s only because I haven’t been here that long – but there wasn’t anybody who was able to take on the role so I said yes,” she said.

Vicki’s role includes running meetings, supporting the community through fundraising, bringing awareness through things like market day, and supporting the Relay For Life in October next year.

Even though Vicki has only had the position for three weeks, she has always attended the local Red Sands meetings and is passionate about what her role involves.

“Helen said she didn’t want to go away and not have somebody take over the role and I’d considered it because it’s something that’s close to my heart so that’s why I’m here,” she said.

Vicki said the role was about supporting people and making people aware of cancer.

“I have to get the message out there and to fundraise but the problem that people have here is that there’s no treatment locally so it means a trip to Adelaide, which means accommodation,” she said.

“The Cancer Council supports three accommodation places in Adelaide but that needs to be funded so that’s one of the places where the fundraised money goes to; to help provide the services and for research.”

Vicki said she wants people to know they are not a counselling service but they are there for support.

“It’s important because when you’re diagnosed with cancer you feel really alone and think ‘why me?’ and coming from rural communities, the biggest decision to make is where you’re going to have treatment,” she said.

“I think people appreciate having a spokesperson who’s had cancer because I’m talking from the heart.”